Following Memphis-based Southeastern Asset Management’s public opposition to Dell Inc.’s proposed $24.4 billion buyout, the Texas-based tech company is trying to reassure shareholders that the deal will be beneficial.

National Association of Women Business Owners Memphis will meet Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Chickasaw Country Club, 3935 Galloway Ave. City, county and state government representatives will discuss opportunities to gain government business. Cost is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers and $35 at the door. Visit bit.ly/122SiTT to register.

Shelby County Commissioners who just last week seemed to agree on giving Memphis City Schools teachers living outside Shelby County five years to move within the county had some second thoughts Monday, Feb. 11, as they debated the schools merger issue.

The faded red kick ball that is the issue of metropolitan school districts in the Shelby County suburbs is now back in Memphis federal court after about two-and-a-half months of private mediation talks.

For a second time, prosecutors in the largest drug case ever brought into Memphis federal court have decided not to recommend a reduction in the sentence of a high-ranking member of the Craig Petties drug organization who cooperated to some extent.

This week let us discuss a nonprofit organization, Healthy Memphis Common Table, whose mission is to mobilize Greater Memphis to achieve excellent health for all, along with one of their programs aimed at addressing obesity, the Million Calorie Reduction Match.

As Goes January … Many market observers state that as goes January, so goes the rest of the year. Mathematically, 1/12th of the year has now passed and the S&P 500 has tacked on 5 percent. Fast-forwarding through the statistical modeling, a strong January predicts a strong annual return precisely because of the positive lead January passes to February. This head start advances the probability of positive returns. Furthermore, a sizable head start increases the odds of success even more. If January is slightly positive, the odds of a positive year are 67 percent. If January is up 5 percent, the odds jump to 79 percent. So a 5 percent positive January has a high probability of correlating with a year of positive equity returns. We cannot rest in that, however, as a 4 percent loss from this point still fulfills the criteria. Better check the vitals.